Turning down rust bucket B.S.O's as donations
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
take it all and make a couple bucks on turning it in at the scrap metal place. SteveM Chicago
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:04:37 -0400 From: instructions@gmail.com To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Turning down rust bucket B.S.O's as donations
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
_______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
"Thanks, but we just don't have the volunteer staff right now to take care of these. Maybe when we have some more experienced staff we could accept bikes like these, but right now we simply can't. I am sorry." "Experienced" is in the eye of the beholder . . . I doubt I will ever be experienced enough to work miracles.
R
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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depending on the size of your space, I think the options all vary.
I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that, but I know exactly where you are going with all of that. I think we serve a purpose as the middle man between the community and the steel scrappers. Every day we are open we probably get stuff that goes into the "strip and scrap pile". We have a number of a nice guy who is a local steel scrapper so we call him up when we get a good pile.
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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We have the advantage of both space and unskilled volunteer labor to use, so one of the first tasks we set our new volunteers (mainly Earn-A-Bike'rs) to is stripping bikes for usable parts and preparing a pickup truck load to the local scrap metal yard.
Our favorite new task for them is breaking wheels down to recover spokes and hubs- it takes a lot of time, and people can do it sitting down.
And in our community, we probably have to accept 5 crappy Huffmasters or Magnas for every vintage road bike or 27" wheelset. We take everything, so people will think of us again for their next (hopefully better) donations.
-Leslie Durham Bike Co-op
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:11 PM, ryan jenkins ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.comwrote:
depending on the size of your space, I think the options all vary.
I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that, but I know exactly where you are going with all of that. I think we serve a purpose as the middle man between the community and the steel scrappers. Every day we are open we probably get stuff that goes into the "strip and scrap pile". We have a number of a nice guy who is a local steel scrapper so we call him up when we get a good pile.
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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I agree, It really depends on the size of the space and number of volunteers. Coatesville is a steel mill town with a scrap iron yard very close to the center of town. We are a very small (8 volunteers) organization with no permanent space and we accept all bikes. Here are few reasons that we do this: to recycle the bikes for less landfill waste, reuse any use-full parts, and lastly to make contact with our community for potential volunteers and donors. We know of an organization in Maryland that will take the bikes we can not use and ship them overseas to other countries. Folks in these countries don't care who made it, they only care that it works. We haven't had to ship any bikes out of the area, as many in our community, how shall I say this, are on the lower end of the economic scale. So the majority of the bikes go right back into the community. Coatesville Community Bike Works Coatesville, PA Lesa Franz http://coatesvillebikeworks.org/?page_id=21
--- On Mon, 7/18/11, ryan jenkins ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.com wrote:
From: ryan jenkins ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Turning down rust bucket B.S.O's as donations To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Date: Monday, July 18, 2011, 4:11 PM
depending on the size of your space, I think the options all vary.
I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that, but I know exactly where you are going with all of that. I think we serve a purpose as the middle man between the community and the steel scrappers. Every day we are open we probably get stuff that goes into the "strip and scrap pile". We have a number of a nice guy who is a local steel scrapper so we call him up when we get a good pile.
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
you really can't
take the junk and tell them thanks
recycle it salvage what you can
they made the effort to get it to you
our mission is bicycles on the road
cars off the road
good will will out if they leave happy
we all win
and if nothing else
make art
i feel your pain i have wrenched at the bicycle kitchen in Los Angeles for 6 years now and there is a constant stream useless junk that never should have been a bike to start with!?!??!?!
good rollin
jim
From: Lesa gadget_teer@yahoo.com To: The Think Tank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 6:46 AM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Turning down rust bucket B.S.O's as donations
I agree, It really depends on the size of the space and number of volunteers. Coatesville is a steel mill town with a scrap iron yard very close to the center of town. We are a very small (8 volunteers) organization with no permanent space and we accept all bikes. Here are few reasons that we do this: to recycle the bikes for less landfill waste, reuse any use-full parts, and lastly to make contact with our community for potential volunteers and donors. We know of an organization in Maryland that will take the bikes we can not use and ship them overseas to other countries. Folks in these countries don't care who made it, they only care that it works. We haven't had to ship any bikes out of the area, as many in our community, how shall I say this, are on the lower end of the economic scale. So the majority of the bikes go right back into the community. Coatesville Community Bike Works Coatesville, PA Lesa Franz http://coatesvillebikeworks.org/?page_id=21
--- On Mon, 7/18/11, ryan jenkins ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.com wrote:
From: ryan jenkins ryan.t.jenkins@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Turning down rust bucket B.S.O's as donations To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Date: Monday, July 18, 2011, 4:11 PM
depending on the size of your space, I think the options all vary.
I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that, but I know exactly where you are going with all of that. I think we serve a purpose as the middle man between the community and the steel scrappers. Every day we are open we probably get stuff that goes into the "strip and scrap pile". We have a number of a nice guy who is a local steel scrapper so we call him up when we get a good pile.
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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"I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that..." Be wary of reusing worn, plastic brake levers from department store bikes. I have seen many fail from age, exposure to sun, and general poor quality. If a friction shifter fails the rider's gear range may be limited. If a brake fails injury, or worse, may result. David
TIRE FIRE!
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 12:36 PM, david bosch davidmbosch@yahoo.com wrote:
"I find that friction shifters and plastic brake levers are still salvageable from bikes like that..."
Be wary of reusing worn, plastic brake levers from department store bikes. I have seen many fail from age, exposure to sun, and general poor quality. If a friction shifter fails the rider's gear range may be limited. If a brake fails injury, or worse, may result. David
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We take on that attitude that if you want nice bikes, you have to take the crappy ones too, because a bianchi covered in campy and a rusty huffy both look like worthless old bikes to the average joe -- since we want the bianchi, we take the huffy too, and smile the same way. The important thing is to have the infrastructure and process for quickly recycling metal. We are fortunate to be able to put scrap metal outside the building and have it disappear without a phone call in 10 minutes tops thanks to roaming scrappers.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org
The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 2:04 PM, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We have a very limited size space, so usually just explain that we simply don't have space, blah blah, <insert comment about the sheer number of mountain bikes we get>. People often ask if they can bring us stuff, and often we are able to explain that we'd prefer to be a little selective about what we take - they are usually understanding. You can offer suggestions on where they can take the bike if you don't want it.
We're a little more sensitive to the situation when someone has clearly gone out of their way to deliver it to us. Then we might give it away, strip it, sell it for $10 as-is, etc...
Brian SLO Bike Kitchen San Luis Obispo, CA www.slobikekitchen.org
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 13:04, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
We explain that department store bikes are not intended to be repaired but replaced. And so it makes it difficult for people who are new to fixing bikes to work on or build up. Most people understand. Also, a lot of people are just trying to get rid of their junk and we were the easiest way. But we are still always as polite as possible.
-jimmy SFBK
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 1:48 PM, Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) < brian@slobikekitchen.org> wrote:
We have a very limited size space, so usually just explain that we simply don't have space, blah blah, <insert comment about the sheer number of mountain bikes we get>. People often ask if they can bring us stuff, and often we are able to explain that we'd prefer to be a little selective about what we take - they are usually understanding. You can offer suggestions on where they can take the bike if you don't want it.
We're a little more sensitive to the situation when someone has clearly gone out of their way to deliver it to us. Then we might give it away, strip it, sell it for $10 as-is, etc...
Brian SLO Bike Kitchen San Luis Obispo, CA www.slobikekitchen.org
On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 13:04, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
as in:
how do I nicely tell the kind folks that we really can't use their pickup truck full of rusty magnas without sounding like a snob?
Boson Au 2818 st paul st. apt 1F Baltimore, MD 21218 443-286-8494 http://velocipedebikeproject.org
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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participants (12)
-
BK Info -
Boson Au -
Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) -
david bosch -
james bledsoe -
Jonathan Morrison -
Lesa -
Leslie Peteya -
reno bikes -
Ron Kellis -
ryan jenkins -
steve marsala